细胞外基质(ECM)对于动物组织的结构和功能至关重要。ECM被认为是高度稳定的结构;然而,ECM的稳定性过高会阻碍器官发育和维持所需的组织重塑。关于这个难题,这篇文章回顾了多条证据,表明ECMs实际上正在快速移动并取代包括九头蛇在内的多种生物中的成分,蠕虫,苍蝇,和脊椎动物。还讨论了细胞在这种动态ECM上/中的行为,ECM动力学如何促进胚胎发生和成体组织稳态,以及动力学背后存在的分子机制。此外,它强调了基因组工程等尖端技术,实时成像,和数学建模有助于揭示ECMs以前不可见的动力学。ECMs不变的想法是要改变的,和ECM动力学正在成为迄今为止尚未认识到的组织发育和维持的关键因素。
Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are essential for the architecture and function of animal tissues. ECMs have been thought to be highly stable structures; however, too much stability of ECMs would hamper tissue remodelling required for organ development and maintenance. Regarding this conundrum, this article reviews multiple lines of evidence that ECMs are in fact rapidly moving and replacing components in diverse organisms including hydra, worms, flies, and vertebrates. Also discussed are how cells behave on/in such dynamic ECMs, how ECM dynamics contributes to embryogenesis and adult tissue homoeostasis, and what molecular mechanisms exist behind the dynamics. In addition, it is highlighted how cutting-edge technologies such as genome engineering, live imaging, and mathematical modelling have contributed to reveal the previously invisible dynamics of ECMs. The idea that ECMs are unchanging is to be changed, and ECM dynamics is emerging as a hitherto unrecognized critical factor for tissue development and maintenance.